2009 Norwich Native Son Alexander Kreiglowa served on 10 Navy ships, then retired from the service and worked 12-hour days. He saved his money and invested in real estate. And through the decades, as he worked, his money grew. It multiplied into $7 million.
The Alexander Kreiglowa Navy & Marine Corps Dependents Education Foundation Scholarships was started in 2006, but took about two years to set up and start distributing. The program offers scholarships of up to $15,000 per year for tuition, books and fees for a maximum of four years to residents of California, where Kreiglowa settled. To receive the award, students must be dependent children of servicemen or -women from the Navy or Marine Corps, graduate in the top 10 percent of their class, be accepted into college and demonstrate financial need.
Alexander Kreiglowa’s parents, Albert and Leona Kreiciglowa immigrated from Poland, and stopped in New York, before settling their family in Norwich.
He attended Elizabeth Street School in Norwich, and then Norwich Free Academy before enlisting in the Navy at 16 years old. His father helped him fake his age in order to enlist.
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